B&B investigate remains found at a National Park. Their case becomes connected to an ongoing case against a corrupt former CIA operative involved in human trafficking. B&B tackle a huge cover-up all while exploring their new relationship. Changed to T.

Booth shut the passenger door of his car for
Brennan after she settled her bag at her feet, then jogged around to
the driver's side. It was time for dinner, coffee, and pie after
closing another case. The jury returned a guilty verdict after
deliberating for two hours, taking another killer off the streets.
They didn't usually stay in the courtroom for verdicts after their
testimony, but Brennan wanted to see this guy put away. All their
cases involving foster children were sources of pain for her, but
this one was particularly difficult. She related to these victims.
He was proud of her, but he knew she needed a break.

"So, Bones, I thought we'd grab a bite to eat
and then take a stroll around the Mall. It's not too cold, and a
little fresh air after that stuffy courtroom will do me some good,"
Booth suggested as they drove.

"Sure, Booth, that sounds nice. Fresh air
sounds like the perfect way to forget death-filled dungeons, stuffy
courtrooms, and condescending lawyers," she grinned at him as
she grabbed her phone from her purse to check her messages.

"Hey, don't let Caroline hear you call her
condescending," he joked.

"Oh, not Caroline, although she does have her
. . . puckish moments," Brennan said with a half smile on her
face, phone pressed to her ear "Did you notice the court
reporter, Booth? She couldn't take her eyes off you during your
testimony," Brennan teased him.

Slightly off-balance by the 'puckish' reference,
Booth replied, "What? No, c'mon, Bones. I wasn't paying
attention to the court reporter, I was focused on the facts of the
case," he said as he glanced across the car at her, catching her
grinning at him. "She was staring at me, huh?" he asked,
deciding to let the puckish comment pass altogether.

"Yes, she was. You are very well put
together, Booth. She would have to be blind not to notice,"
Brennan said, still teasing him. She shut her phone and tucked it
back in her purse.

"Do you make a habit of checking out the
women who check me out?" he teased back.

"Hey," Brennan replied indignantly.
"I'm just here to help you pick a girl, Booth. Maybe she's the
one."

"Hm, you didn't happen to get her card for
me, did you?" Booth asked her, a little surprised to hear her
repeat his words from London. "It's been a lean month what with
all the dungeons and death, you know?"

"Yes, I know exactly what you mean," she
agreed with a nod.

Booth wondered where she was going with this. He
was starting to get used to their frank discussions, but she had
never tried to set him up with someone before.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.